Introduction

The Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides was adopted in 2006 by the European Commission, together with a proposal for a Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides. It aims to fill the current legislative gap regarding the use-phase of pesticides at EU level through setting minimum rules for the use of pesticides in the Community, so as to reduce risks to human health and the environment from the use of pesticides. For the time being, Commission has proposed to restrict the scope of the Framework Directive to plant protection products. The intention is, however, to include biocides in the scope as soon as possible.

Discussions on the Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides started in the European Parliament and the Council in 2006. A second-reading agreement was found in December 2008. Adoption is expected in the 2nd semester of 2009.

In addition to the Framework Directive, three other pieces of legislation contain measures deriving from the Thematic Strategy: